Method and means for removing filter cakes from filter mediums



A; L.. GENTER ET AVL y MEHoDiAND MEANS Fon REMovNG FILTER cimas 21:91! FILTER MHDIUMS Filed April 29, 1921 l 4 sheets-sheet' 2 Nov. 15, 1927.

A. L. GENTER ETAL METHOD AND MEANS FOR REMQVING FILTER CAKES FROM FILTER MEDIUMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 29, 1921 x/ f l.. H rf. liTw )N l Nov. 15, `1927. 1,649,581

A41.. GENTER -ET AL METHOD AND MEANS FOR REMOVING FILTER CAKES FROM FILTER MEDIUMSv Filed April 29. 1921 v 4 sne'ets-sneet 4 ?atented Nov. 415,` 19127.

UNlTED'STATES PATENT man a.. aman um :wenn A. necesitan.; or sans am Grrr, 'crm Al` BIGNUB` TO UXTID FILTIBW OEIPOBATION,

. TIN F DELAWARE.

0F NEW YORK, H. Y., .L` CORPORA- HJETHOD ARD ml 0I R'IHGVUIG IIIrTl'B `UAIKEB FBI FILTRE mm Aplllidon med April B9, 1921. Serial No. 465,581.

Our invention relates to a new method and means for removing the filter cake or accumulation from filter mediums of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings, is a full, clear and concise description.

Our invention in one of its broader asects involves the idea of adhesively remov- -ing the cake accumulation from the filter f medium, and consists in emplo ing a cake removing member or element, t 1e surface of .,'which has greater power of adhesion than 'the surface of the `filter medium, so that during the rotation of the filter medium, the l5 accumulated cake Will be automatically transferred to th surface of the 'cake removing member, solel of adhesion, lafter whdh the ca e is removed from the member preferably by scraping at a" suitable oint of discharge.

In carr 'mg our invention into'practice, we have.. ound that `a cake removing member in the form of awooden roller to be very advantageous, as-the surface of the wood possesses the characteristic of adhesion to a marked degree. This -wood roller is sur ace, so as to contact with the cake accumulaton and draw it away from the surface of the filter medium as the latter is moved or rotated during the normal operation of the lter.

In the ac ompanying drawings, forming a part of this s ecifcation, we have illustratecl by way o examples, certain adaptations of the rinciples of our invention in connection with filters'of the rotating leaf type as well as filters of the drum type.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, parts being removed or broken away, of a filter of the rotating leaf type, constructed in accordance with and embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof, parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate structural details.

Figure 3 is a plan View thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing the relation of the wood roller to the filter leaf, part-'only of the latter being shown.

Figure 5 -is ran enlarged detail sectional View through'aportion of the filter leaf,

throu h the power ositioned adjacent the veffective filter pan' and adjacent' cake removing members and other associated arts illustrative of the manner in which tlie calle accumulation is removed.-

,Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed view iln' lustratmg ositive means associated with the rotating fi terleaf for 4rotating the cake removing member.

Figure 7 is -an enlarged detail of clamping means employed for mountin the rack of the driving means shown in igure 6, upon the filter leaf frame.

Fi re 8 iis an enlarged detail in'section showin the` driving connections between the ca e removing members on adjacent sides of each filter leaf.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail partly in sectionillustrating a. ball bearing support for the ends of the cake removin roller.

Figures 10 and 11 are enlarge modifications illustrative of pressure creating means for forcing the wood roller against the cake formation;

Figure 12 is an end view of a filter of` the rotating drum type, constructed in accordance with and embodying our invention.

Figure 13 is a view in side elevation there- Figure 14 is an enlarged detail, showing the cake removing roller and the co-operating scraper for removing the adhered caire therefrom.

Referring more particularl to Fi res 1 to 11, inclusiva-the filter il ustrate is of the well-known rotating leaf type and can briefly be described as consistin of a plurality of spaced filter leaves or isos A carried upon a horizontal, centrally loca-ted shaft B, the ends of which are mounted .in suitable bearings, a driving mechanism C being employed for imparting a rotary movement to the shaft and filter discs.

The leaves rotate in a suitable tank D having a main chamber at one side thereof, ex-

tending throughout its entire length as at E.

This chamber is substantially in`the form of a quarter cylinderv open at the top and havmg a curved side wall, a vertical side wall,

details of and substantially quadrant-shaped end walls.

' lhe up er surfaces of the chamber walls lie 1n a p ane parallel to a horizbntal plane gli passingthrough the axis of the shaft and the vertical side Wall lies in a plane parallel to a vertical plane passing through the axis of the shaft'. The tank further includes a plurality of individual, trough-shaped chambers spaced from one another in the direction. of the length of the tanlrand communicating with the main chamber through openings formed in the vertical Wall thereof. As shown these individual chambers are formed 'as separate castings secured to the vertical side wall of the main chamber and register l ing with openings formed therein, the open tops of the chambers lying in the same plane as the open top in the main chamber. rllhe individual chambers are positioned to register with the several filter discs andthe parallel walls thereof are spaced apart suliiciently to permit the discs to rotate freely without danger of striking against the chamher Walls.

The construction of the filter discs, as Well as the tank, form no part of our present invention, other than in their association and combination with the principles involved in our new method of cake removal, the filter discs being constructed in accord ance with the patents to 0. J. Salisbury. No. 1,293,555, dated February 4th, 1919 and No. 1,259,139, dated March l2, 1918; While the particular construction forms part of the subject-matter of a cci-pending application, Serial No.227.519, filed April 9th,

1918, by Albert L. Gantere The'calre removing element is indicated` by the numeral. l, and when used in connection 'Witlia filter of the rotating leaf type, series or plurality of these members, in the form of Wood or other types of'rollers, are employed, twoto each leaf, one on each side of the leaf, so as to remove the cakev from each eective lter surface simultaneously as the leaf rotates between them.n `Each roller is mounted and supported by brackets 2, fastened in any suitable manner to the tank. These rollers are preferably sliglitly spaced from the surface of the intermediate filter leaf, so as to allow for the building up of the cake accumulation `to a desired degree,.the built-up cake itself engaging the peripheral surface of the roller to which it adheres during its rotation. 4

The Wood rollers l are slightly tapered or coniform in shape with their reduced ends journaled adjacent the axis of the leaf-this for the purpose of effecting a true rolling contact between the surface of the roller and the cake accumulation on the leaf and the eripheral speed to the roller as the leaf. he roller extends across the effective filtering,r surface of each segment of the leaf so that the entire filter caire accumulation will be brought into contact therewith during the rotation of the leaf and is thus removed in its entiretyo These rollers, asexvof discharge.

plained, are supported above the tank and are preferably adjacent the side vs'alls of the indentations or crenellations which form the individual receptacles for the filter leaves, so that the spaces between the individual receptacles may be utilized as discharge spaces for the removed calze; that is to say, as the roll ers removethe calze from the rotating leaves, thecalre is carried beyond the adjacent side Walls and is removed or discharged between the receptacles Where it may be deposited in a suitable hopper or the like.

0f course, While we have illustrated and described a conical roller y.used 1n connection Awith the'leaf type of lter, manifestly, we

inch away, so as to leave a small layer of cake upon the peripheral surface of the roller. s the roller rotates a 'major portion of the'cale is' peeled olf, much in the manner illustratedin detail in Figure 5. ln order te prevent any portion of the cake fron-raccidentally falling back into the tank,

.,dell'ecting plates 5 may be employed, these -being,suitably riveted to the side Walls of the individual leaf receptacle portions of the tank, as shown. The scraper member 8 may be formed of sheet metal, although We do not restrict ourselves thereto nor do we restrict ourselves to a, scraper, as manifestly other means may beemployed Afor removing the adhered cake from the roller, such as, for instance, a rotatingF ybrush or the like.

As a. cake removing element, We nd that a wood roller admirably answers the purpose, since it inherently possess es a higher degreev of adhesiveness than that of the leaf surface and thus eifects a satisfactory transfer of the cake accumulation. Vle do not desire to be limited-to a roller made of wood, as for certain purposes, other mate rials may be found to perform satisfactorily, for instance, it may be found desirable to use a wood roller having a covering or sleeve of a different material thereon, such rubber or the like. The Wood roller, being rotatably mounted as described, is propelled or rotated through and by reason of its frictionall adhering contact with the calze accumulation on the'leaf as the leaf rotates; thus the roller turns of its own accord in carrying the cake from the leaf to the point lll/e have found that? by mounting the endsy of each roller in ball races 6 (see Figure 9), the friction is 4delat s messer v creased and s :tree and more satisfactory no 'tion ot the roller is obtained. During the o'icrntion of reinoviu' v the celte :from the lter l eet' in filters o tris ehnruotor, eil is edrnitted to `the interior of each segment of the lenti it approaches the point of discharge., in u manner similar to that described in seid application Serial No. 221,519, so that the iilter covering is somewhat, bulged, ns is Well 'i9 understood in the art, thus facilitating the separation ot'. the'culte from thelter cove ini'luting the lilter segments in the Well-known hunner, the filter cloth is tieni bly forced outwardly against. the 'roller und postes, so to speelt, the accumulated cake upon the roller., 'which as it rotates, pulls the eelco uwuyrom the iilter ebric.

lin certain instences Where the character o?? culte is such that the celte sticks in the pores of the cloth, there' is by consequence thereof ,Lirenter'adhesion between the cedro end the cloth than between the cuire und the roller. The intl-ation of the filter is nuits essentiel to remove the culte om the cloth; By' admitting the cour seed uis' to the inside of the leef, the .re of, the oir forces the colic out ot" the o3? the oi und. the roller to n ,it adheres sud removed in the munletotore described. fit might found desirable' to provide suitnble pres nre (limitingI such os "i", or like, to inuintoizi ifsulicient lionel cortect'between the roller und the es to conse the roller 'to roliste in the inl d mennen to curry t ie cuire to the point h This pressure muy be found le inasmuch se the sci-liner 3 will :vliet retard the movement .ot the roller 'reason o its contact. therewith. Ven-ions ns muy employed 1orobtaining und neointuining pressure between the roller nud the filter colte on the lter element, and, Figures .l and 1l, vtwo such suit-able .ineens ure illustrated. l

f in Figure 10, the roller 1 is mounted on u )pair of erms 8, which in turn are associated vwith o pair of' arms 9, forming bell crank .levers pivoted et 10. @n the free end of the arms 10 eresuspcnded weights 11, 'which suppl] the required power to maintain the roller l in'Y firm Contact with the cake ecouniulation on the filter leaf at all times.` ln Figure 1:1, the arms 9 and weights ,1l ure A dispensed ,with und u lent spring Wheeling upon the eine or hearing stud of the roller is employed to maintain this desired contact underpressure. i

ln some instances, where the nature of the "50 calife accumulation admits, it may be desirable to positively rotatey thc rollers by using some externnllsourceof power end thus A'not rely solely upon the friction-nl engagement between the roller und the cake; for instance,

shi Where certain cyanide `sliines aire being hun died, the slippery nature of the coke forma tion muy cause skidding between the cake and roller, due in a measure to the existence oit tlieretmding friction ol* the scraper upon the roller, which may be in excess o the friction that muy exist' between the cake und the roller, ln order to effect this positive rotation ot' the roller in keeping with the speed of rotation of the filter leaf, We propose to provide the reduced end oi' euch 75 roller shalt with a sprocket wheel, 13 and upon the spider like freine oj the filter leaf,

u circular cooperating rack 1li, clamped by suitable means '15 to the radio1 rods of the spider, these rocks being provided likewise S0 in peirs end fastened ut opposite sides of each filter icuii, so as to cooperate with euch. 'puit' of rollers os is obvious.

As the filter discs revolve, the rollom ore likewise coused to revolve in the correct direction and et' the proper synchronized speed, thus removing the calife in the inun-Y ner heretofore described. Te mightodd that we have found that in filters of large dimensions that this positive driving moans 9 is not essential owing to the existence of u high degree of friction present between the moving cult-e formation andthe 'wood rollen ln Eigures 12 to 1l, inclusive, we have illustrated, the principles of our invention embodied in the weildmown type of drum filter. 'in this type of filter, the eil'ective filtering sur-luce is cylindrical ns :it lo, and' comprises :i filter fabric or medium mounted upon o freine which rotates in n pun or trink lyiuto vvl'iich the substance to be liltercd is admitted, the drum rotating there in, currics the accumulated eolie upon its sur-luce during its rotation to the point of discharge :it which point the wo'od rollerV 18, which in this instance is cylindrical throughout its entire length is located.

This wood roller is shown as being mounted in blocks 19, slidably arranged in end frames 20, under the tension of springs 21, regulating means 22 being provided for regulating the amount of tension applied to the roller and through it to the surface of the cake upon thedrum. A scraper 23 is mounted having its scraping edge in con tact with the roller 18 in position to scrap the adhered cake romilthe roller and discharge it beyond the toni: 1'?. In this form oi' construction, it may be found of adventage un'iler certain conditions to use rollers of u more flexible materiel so as to conform to any irreguliirity in the contour of the drum; The rollers 18 may also'be positively rotated from somesuitable source of'oxteruelpower, should requirements demand.

In addition to the benefits and advantages attained by our invention as .above set forth, it might be desirable to mention that economies ure effected by eliminating the weer which is incidental to the use of the hereto- 130 fore known stationary Scrapers, which bear directly agzunst the filter medium and are used to remove the cake formation. Also the power consumption or" the filter itself is f greatly reduced, thus minimizing operating costs. Furthermore, the effectiveness and eiciency of removinfr the cake is/,grcatiy increased by reasonoth the fact that: the roller to which the cake adheres tends to pull the solid matter out ot the pores of the .filter medium, thus increasing the capacity of the filter as contra-distinguished from the old 'style edge scraper, the tendency of which is to smear the solids across the surface of the filter medium, and to a certain extent close up `the pores. Furthermore, gwhen used in connection with the drum type of filter, the usual Wire windings can be dispensed with, which in itselie is of greater advantage because the Wire windings block out a certain amount of the active fitter area and retard or impede cleansing of the filter cloth. Fur thermore, it will be apparent that a rela tively loose iilterfabric on the drum ot a drum type of lterlmay be employed, as ination of the medium will cause the calze accumuiation to be pasted over the 'surface o the rotating Wood roller and as the Wood roller rotates, it exerts a tendency to pull the adhered cake away from vthe cloth. Furthermore, by dispensing with the Wire windings, the capacity of the filter is materially increased, the expense'of frequently renewing the Scrapers heretofore used,

" which bear directly against the Wire windings is eliminated, While wear upon the fiter cloth itselfis brought to 'a minimum, owing to the fact that the Wood roller is not in contact with theliabric in any harmful way. Our invention eliminates the use of rigid Scrapers in all types of filters Where their bearingdirectly upon the filter medium creates destructive friction as the Wood roller of our invention through its rolling ac tion possesses no destructive tendency.

lul/'lille we have illustrated certain prefere able embodiments of the principles of our invention in connection with two Well known types of filter structures, we do not desire to be limited to the application of our invention to such structures, or in the manner of carrying the same into practice, as regards structural details. We rather desire to be understood that inthe appended claims, We wish to co ver our said principles of invention in whatever form. or in Whatever man ner they may be usefully employed.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination with a filter medium of a caire removing member adapted to adhesively remove the cake formation therefrom, means 'for applying pneumatic pressure to the inner surface of the filter medium to asnoemer sist in the detachment of the cake therefrom, and means for preventing the adhered, calze from building up on the removing member. 2. ln combination with a filter medium of a rotatable member adapted to Contact with the calre and remove it solely by' adhesion.' means for bulging said medium outwardly so as to force the cake thereon against said rotatable member and a scraper juxtaposed to the member adapted to remove the adhered rake therefrom.

f. In combination with a rotatable filter element of the leaf type ot' a conical'member in rolling Contact with the surface of the caire acciunulation adapted to adliesively remove the cake from the element and means Jfor bulgingn said element outwardly so as tol 'force the cake thereon against said coniwalf members. v

4. ln combination with a rotatable lter elenxcntot the ieatI type of a conical membei' in rolling Contact with the surface of' the 'cake accumulation adapted to adhesively remove the cake from the element, and a scraper member bearing against the conical mcnibcr and adapted to remove 'the'adhered cake therefrom.

5. in a filter, the combination with a rol tating tiltcr leaf, of a cake removing element comprising a wood roller journaled adjacent the leaf and positioned in Contact with the cake accumulation and positive driving means for imparting rotary motion to the gli' roller in keeping with the speed of rotation im? of the filter leaf.

6. ln a filter the combination with a rotating filter leaf of a cake removing element.' adapted to engage the cake and remove it from the leaf by adhesion, said element be ingir .tapered and positioned in true rolling contact with the surface of the cake :torinan 'tio n, and means for imparting movement simultaneously to the element and to the leat.

7. In a filter, the combination with a rotating filter leaf, or' a cake removing element adapted to adhesively engage .the cake and remove it from the leaf, said clement being tapered and positioned so as to elect a true rolling action between the surface 'thereof and the cake, and means for impartingl movement simultaneously to theelement and` the leaf, and means co-operating with the element for removing the adhered calze therefrom at the point of discharge.

8. n combination, a filter element of the rotatable leaf type, a cake remover comprisingr a conical wood roller, means for support ymg the roller v1n contact with the cake torlll llli lili Massei 9. in combination, a iilter medium means for applying pneumatic pressure to the luterior thereof to distend t e pores and facilitate removal, a rotatably mounted cake reunitingv element, and pressure ap lying means for urging the cake removing e ement under pressure toward the filter medium.

10. The method of removing the'accumulation of solid matter from a filter medium, which consists in employing a rotatable member bearing against the solid matter, appig/ing air pressure to the underside of the iilter medium to loosen the solid matter from the pores of said medium and rotating the filter medium and rotatable member so that the celte will be removed by the rotatable member.

l. The method of removing cake from a filter surface, which consists in adhesively rolling the cake therefrom, applying air pressure to the underside of the ilter surface 'to assist in such cake removal.

ln a filter, the combination with a ro- 'taining filter surface, of a cake removing elef ment adapted to adhesively engage the cake,

means for admittin air pressure to the underside oi 'said sur ace, and means for mr i parting movement simultaneously to the cake removing element and the tiltcr surface.

13. 'in a'tllter, the combination with a rorating filter leaf, of a cake removing element adapted to adhesively engage the cake, means for admitting air pressure to the underside of the lea means vfor imparting neumatic movement simultaneously to the cake remov ing element and the leaf, and means' cooperating with the cake removing element for removing the adhered cake therefrom at a suitable point of discharge.

le. in combination, a filter, a discharge roiler therefor, and means-for applying rassure to theinterior of the filter to assist in the removal of the cake therefrom.

15. The method of causing filter. cake to adhere to a discharge roller, which consists in supplying pneumatic pressure to the interior of the filter so as to minimize the adhesion of the cake to the filter surface.

. i6.. 'in combination, a rotary lter, means iur subjecting the cake deposited thereon to pneumatic pressure to dry the cake partially,msans to subsequently subject the inside of the filter to pneumatic rassure to bulge the .filter medium, and ro er means for dischargin the partially dried cake.

17. The meiod of removing filter cake de osited on the rotary filtering material oi a ter, which consists in causing said material bo bulge outwardly so as-to o en the pores of the fabric and move the ca e into .contact with n discharging element having a surface on which the filter cake tends adhere, and advancing said discharging element so as to provide continuously to said 'filtering material a fresh surface for the reception of filter cake.

18. The combination with a .rotary lter com rising a framework provided with a. iexi le covering of iltermg material, of means for bul ing said material outwardly so as to open t. e poresof the fabric, means ,having a surface against which the filter cake tends to adhere when the. cake is pressed into contact therewith by said bulged covering, and means Vfor moving said ltering material and said second-mentioned means at substantially the same surface ve locity so that the filter cake is drawn ol said filtering material and applied to the said means.

19. In combination With a rotary filter comprising a filter cloth, of means for discharging filter cake fromsaid cloth, said means having a surface moving substantiall in unison with the surface of said filter c oth, and means for applying pneumatic pressure to the inner surface of said cloth, so as to force the cake deposited on the cloth against the surface of said discharging means.

20. In a filter, the combination with a ro,-

toting filter medium, of means for applynl i pneumatic pressure to the interior tol open the pores of the fabric, moving means for positionin said roller-.adjacent the surface of the hltering medium, said means including a air of bell-crank levers t creo a cake resupporting the roller at its ends and weights the free ends of the bell'- cra-nk levers for causing the roller to bear' suspended from with pressure against the filter medium.

In testimony whereof we have atiixed our.

signatures to this specification.

ALBERT L. GENTER. JAS'PERYA.; MCGAS element in the form of a Wood roller,Ar 

